Hi there, your honest opinion would be highly valued.
Here we go:
Undergrad:
Went to a Canadian Uni relatively unknown. Took 2 extra years to graduate for the reason of my father dying and having to take care of my family.
GPA:
First two years averaged 75%, last 2 years averaged 85%. Honours Econ.
Work experience:
Moved to London UK and have worked for a boutique Private Equity advisory as an Executive where I helped raise $1billion and was promoted.
Spun out with colleagues to start our own Private Equity Derivatives firm currently regulated by the FSA (quite innovative idea).
Community:
Founding President of a PE association with 50 members managing $75 billion.
Age:
29 now, will be 30 when applying in the fall, will be 31 when entering. I am wondering how this will be viewed because although I would be above the average age, I would still have the average amount of work experience..
GMAT:
Have not taken it yet
Here is the thing, I am already in the private equity industry but I would like to get into the principle investing side of it, and generally would like to formally learn the language of business.
It would only be worth it for me to attend a top 5 school.
I am quite confident that after a few months of studying that I could score 720+ on the gmat.
What I am asking is do you think that I would be a good candidate for any of the top schools listed below under the assumption that I score a 720 on the gmat? If the chances are very slim then I would prefer not to waste the time studying for it and just push on with my career. However, if I have a decent shot then it would be worth it to try.
Schools:
Harvard
Stanford
Wharton
Sloan
Columbia
Weaknesses Summary:
31 years old upon entering
worked for boutique firms no big names
Unknown undergrad school
Okay GPA
Strengths Summary:
International experience
Trade association president - leadership
Entrepreneurship - Innovative new company in the PE industry
Great PE contacts
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jamie2377356
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mbaMissionJessica
- MBA Admissions Consultant
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Hi, and thank you for your inquiry.
I think you've done a good job of analyzing your strengths and weaknesses, although I'm not particularly concerned about the number of years of work experience vs. your age. Explain briefly in your optional essay what happened with your family situation during school, but otherwise I don't think you need to discuss it. Remember, the schools are very used to seeing other candidates who also have fewer years of work than their profile might indicate - applicants who were in the military, Mormon applicants who went on mission for 2 years, etc. As long as you explain your story, it shouldn't be considered a weakness.
Other than that, I think you have a good profile - leadership, entrepreneurial experience, international experience, concrete results. You do have some community involvement - the PE Association - which is good for them to see, but I don't see a lot of non-PE community involvement in your profile. That may not be an issue but I wanted to point it out. (While applicants often think work and community are the only aspects of their life to draw on for stories, don't forget that you can also draw on personal experiences to show a broader engagement with the world around you. In other words, you don't have to have founded a non-profit; helping a cousin achieve a goal may be an equally effective essay.)
If you score a 700 or above on the GMAT and write compelling essays that showcase the quality of the work that you've done and leadership/initiative that you have shown, I think you'll be a competitive candidate at the schools you list.
Best of luck,
I think you've done a good job of analyzing your strengths and weaknesses, although I'm not particularly concerned about the number of years of work experience vs. your age. Explain briefly in your optional essay what happened with your family situation during school, but otherwise I don't think you need to discuss it. Remember, the schools are very used to seeing other candidates who also have fewer years of work than their profile might indicate - applicants who were in the military, Mormon applicants who went on mission for 2 years, etc. As long as you explain your story, it shouldn't be considered a weakness.
Other than that, I think you have a good profile - leadership, entrepreneurial experience, international experience, concrete results. You do have some community involvement - the PE Association - which is good for them to see, but I don't see a lot of non-PE community involvement in your profile. That may not be an issue but I wanted to point it out. (While applicants often think work and community are the only aspects of their life to draw on for stories, don't forget that you can also draw on personal experiences to show a broader engagement with the world around you. In other words, you don't have to have founded a non-profit; helping a cousin achieve a goal may be an equally effective essay.)
If you score a 700 or above on the GMAT and write compelling essays that showcase the quality of the work that you've done and leadership/initiative that you have shown, I think you'll be a competitive candidate at the schools you list.
Best of luck,
Jessica Shklar
Senior Consultant
mbaMission (www.mbamission.com)
646-485-8844
Sign up for a free consultation with mbaMission, the only admissions consulting firm that leading GMAT prep companies, ManhattanGMAT and Kaplan, recommend.
www.mbamission.com/consult.php
Senior Consultant
mbaMission (www.mbamission.com)
646-485-8844
Sign up for a free consultation with mbaMission, the only admissions consulting firm that leading GMAT prep companies, ManhattanGMAT and Kaplan, recommend.
www.mbamission.com/consult.php
